Peter Vask’s 75th anniversary concert will be broadcast live / Article / LSM.lv

On Saturday, April 16, on the birthday of Pēteris Vasks, a concert “Presence” dedicated to the composer’s 75th anniversary is expected to be broadcast live from the concert hall “Cēsis”, the representatives of the concert hall informed.

The festive program with the brightest compositions of Wax’s symphony, choir and chamber music will be broadcast on Latvian Radio 3 “Klasika” at 19.00, but will be shown on Latvian Television Channel 1 at 21.15. In the evening, the concert hall will bring together this year’s residency artists – violinists Kristīne Balanas and cellist Margarita Balanas, national ensembles – the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and the State Academic Choir “Latvia”, and two conductors – Andris Pogu and Māris Sirmo.

Representatives of the concert hall reminded that this spring the fourth spring festival “Pēteris Vasks Music April” was to take place, which annually offers listeners specially designed original programs on the birthday of the Latvian composer, highlighting the music of both the master and his spiritual companions – Nordic composers.

Although the pandemic in the world and in Latvia has implemented its corrections, not yet allowing listeners to enjoy the planned concerts in the presence, in cooperation with Latvian Television and Latvian Radio on Peter Bask’s birthday, April 16, his 75th anniversary will still be celebrated – the composer himself is present at the concert in the concert hall “Cēsis”.

The program of the anniversary concert of Pēteris Vasks has been created by conductors Andris Poga and Māris Sirmais in collaboration with the composer himself. The organizers of the concert promise that all the edges of Vasco’s work will shine in it.

The music of Pēteris Vasks has influenced me very personally – as a teenager, listening to the opus “Musica dolorosa” in a chamber orchestra concert, I changed my thinking and attitude towards contemporary academic music. Wax is a sign of the whole Latvian music era, which with its talent is inscribed in the constellation of world music – a Latvian composer, whose music is recognized internationally, ”conductor Māris Sirmais expressed his thoughts on the jubilee’s work.

Andris Poga, the artistic director of the LNSO, added: “I am always very happy to play Peter’s music – whether it is a premiere, an opus or a work on a record album. It is extremely interesting to watch Vask’s music perceived and played by orchestras in Latvia and abroad – it is so very different, but at the same time these different perspectives are very inspiring! In this concert I am in charge of “Lauda” and “Vox Amoris” – I have played both of these works many times – both in concerts in Latvia and together with outstanding European musicians in Germany, France, Slovakia and other countries. “

The organizers of the concert describe the program “Presence” as a spiritual experience and a path to fulfillment: “From silent reflection and natural beauty in the composition” Landscape Landscape “to a confirmation of light in the choral work” Mother Sun “, passing through the radiance of love to the opus of the symphony orchestra “Lauda” and culminating in the four-time fort “Laudate Dominum”.

The drama of the program will resonate with the composer’s conviction not to allow the severity of suffering, but to endure and not give up; strive upward and draw strength in faith. ”

As soon as the events with the presence of listeners are allowed, the concert hall “Cēsis” will invite the premiere of Pēteris Vasks’ violin concert “Evening Light”, the score of which is already in the hands of violinist Hugo Tichati and the Sinfonietta Riga

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